Physicians Take Advantage of Incentives

Nearly 900 more Nova Scotians now have a family doctor thanks to early uptake in one of the incentives recently announced by government and Doctors Nova Scotia.

In the first month of the Patient Attachment Incentive Trust, 177 doctors have taken on 882 patients.

“This incentive is just one tool that we’re using to help connect patients with a family practice,” said Health and Wellness Minister Randy Delorey. “We know that physicians are trying to improve access for patients when and where they can, and our incentive acknowledges that work.”

The incentive was announced in March as part of a $39.6 million investment to improve access to primary care. Family doctors are eligible for a one-time incentive of $150 per patient for accepting a patient from the 811 Need a Family Practice Registry. The incentive is also available to family doctors who take on new patients referred from an emergency department or a practice where a doctor is retiring or moving.

Family doctors from every zone have been taking on new patients: Central – 92 family doctors have taken on 469 patientsEastern – 24 family doctors have taken on 182 patientsWestern – 34 family doctors have taken on 129 patientsNorthern – 27 family doctors have taken on 102 patients

$6.4 million has been placed in the Patient Attachment Incentive Trust, which is managed by an independent trustee.